KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post Saskatchewan Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette (45) runs a drill beside Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jameer Thurman (6) during practice inside Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 in Regina.
Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
With two months to go until CFL training camps, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have completed their off-season to-do list.
After winning their first Grey Cup since 2013, the Green and White had several important tasks to get done this off-season in the hopes of defending their title in 2026.
And at this point in the off-season, general manager Jeremy O’Day and the football operations team have completed all 10 of the items we previously laid out for the team at the beginning of December in the original article.
Now, the Riders can focus on the upcoming CFL Combine, set for Mar. 27-29 in Edmonton, before the CFL Draft on Apr. 28. Following those events, there’s only a few weeks before rookie camp opens on May 6 followed by main training camp on May 10.
Before then, let’s look back at the off-season priorities and the progress they made:
1. Secure starting quarterback
One of the first things the Roughriders did this off-season was re-sign starting quarterback Trevor Harris for another season. This was the biggest question mark the team had heading into the off-season but it was quickly answered as Harris has decided to return for a fourth year with the Riders, which will mark his 15th in the CFL.
Task: Complete
2. Retain backup quarterbacks
Although Saskatchewan didn’t retain last year’s backup in Jake Maier, who signed with the Ottawa Redblacks, the Green and White were able to re-sign short-yardage specialist Tommy Stevens and Jack Coan, who is expected to be the No. 2 this season after two years as a third- and fourth-stringer. The Roughriders also have rookies Jordan McCloud and Brayden Schager competing for one potential practice roster spot.
Task: Complete
3. Re-sign elite running back
That elite running back is A.J. Ouellette, who had to wait until the final hour before free agency to agree to a contract extension with the Riders. Having continuity within Saskatchewan’s offence was a big reason the group took a step forward last season and that’s the same going into 2026. The Riders also added an intriguing backup this off-season in former NFLer Darrell Henderson.
Task: Complete
4. Prioritize receiver situation
The entire cast of receivers were free agents heading into the off-season and Saskatchewan did quite well retaining three major pieces.
KeeSean Johnson, Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker all re-signed with the Riders however Dohnte Meyers headed to the NFL while Joe Robustelli and Tommy Nield went to other teams in free agency.
Canadians Ajou Ajou and Dhel Duncan-Busby will compete for one starting spot while it appears there will be a training camp competition to decide the fifth starting spot, likely between several Americans who signed this off-season although Siaosi Mariner, who played in 16 games with Ottawa over two years, might have a leg up heading into camp. This will be one of the more intriguing training camp battles to watch.
Task: Complete
5. Re-sign Canadian cornerback
This could have been higher on the list given how important Tevaughn Campbell was to Saskatchewan’s roster last season including in the Grey Cup, where he essentially made a game-saving forced fumble in the fourth quarter.
Campbell, who spent six years in the NFL before coming back to the CFL last year, admitted retirement was an option but instead he’s choosing to run it back with a defence that should be just as dominant in 2026, especially with him in the lineup.
Task: Complete
6. Offensive line options
Veteran Jermarcus Hardrick is coming back for another year after being named the CFL’s top lineman in 2025 while Saskatchewan’s top rookie Payton Collins is also back in 2026. That solidifies the two tackle positions.
Logan Ferland, Saskatchewan’s most versatile and valuable lineman, is expected to stay at centre in 2026 after stepping up in the role last year while all-star Jacob Brammer will hold down the right guard position.
There are several options at left guard with Zack Fry likely the leading candidate to secure the lone starting spot up for grabs. He’ll be pushed by last year’s second-round pick Erik Andersen and Dayton Black, who was signed in free agency. Daniel Johnson could be an option too although he’s primarily played tackle.
Task: Complete
7. Bring back linebackers
The Roughriders didn’t necessarily bring back their linebackers from 2025 but they found quality replacements.
With A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis both getting hefty deals from the Ottawa Redblacks in free agency, the Riders were forced to fill the voids on either side of middle linebacker Jameer Thurman, who signed an extension through 2027.
Former B.C. Lions linebacker Josh Woods was signed to compete at weakside linebacker with Aubrey Miller Jr., who was re-signed. On the other side, Antoine Brooks Jr. will look to build on an impressive sample at the position last year when he filled in for Reavis, who moved to safety.
Task: Complete
8. Determine defensive linemen
Given that the Roughriders currently have 20 defensive linemen on the roster, this is a position group to watch in camp as a number of those players compete for one starting spot.
With defensive tackles Caleb Sanders and Mike Rose having inked contract extensions, it appears Saskatchewan’s interior is in good shape heading into 2026 despite losing Micah Johnson, who is now the defensive line coach.
At defensive end, the Riders made a splash in free agency as they signed veteran James Vaughters to replace Malik Carney, who headed to Edmonton.
But there’s still a vacancy at the other defensive end position with Habakkuk Baldonado and Shane Ray both not returning. While there are players like Aaron Patrick and Chico Bennett returning from last season, the Riders have signed several Americans who will look to earn that final starting spot at a position.
Task: Complete
9. Kicking competition
This task originally said to bring in kicking competition for veteran Brett Lauther. However, the club decided to change this up entirely by releasing Lauther and turning this into an American position.
Michael Hughes, who had a short stint with the team at the end of last season, is coming back and is expected to be the leading candidate to secure the starting spot while the Riders have also signed fellow American Jonathan Kim.
If somehow both struggle to make kicks, Saskatchewan can quickly find another American in a much larger talent pool than when it was a Canadian spot.
Task: Complete
10. Kick returner
With Mario Alford entering the off-season as a pending free agent before signing in Hamilton, the Riders needed to determine who would handle return duties in 2026.
And one dynamic returner sort of fell into their lap before free agency officially opened as Montreal released James Letcher Jr., allowing him to sign in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan has a few other American receivers who might get reps in training camp but this spot belongs to the 26-year-old Letcher.
Task: CompleteÂ
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